Famous Stages of Theatre History
11
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Famous Stages of Theatre History
10
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Theatre of Pompey (Rome)
The theatre was located at one
end of the garden, while at the other end was the Curia Pompeia. Curiae were meeting halls in Ancient Rome.
It was during his second consulship that Pompey initiated the construction of a theatre, inspired by his visit to Mytilene, Greece. His goal was to gain political popularity by commissioning this spectacular building.
The construction of the theatre began around 61 BC
and was financed by the loot Pompey took during
his military campaigns.
The building complex, which
was inaugurated in 55 BC,
was the first major stone
theatre in ancient Rome.
He was a Roman politician and military leader
and one of the best-
known personalities of ancient Roman history. Julius Caesar is believed to have been assassinated
in the Curia Pompeia.
The garden
The spectacular, rectangular garden
was located behind the scaenae frons,
the multi-storey back wall of the theatre, which also functioned as scenery,
and was surrounded by porticoes
from all sides.
Temple of Venus
On top of the auditorium’s centre, opposite the stage was the Temple of Venus. (In Roman mythology,
Venus is the goddess of beauty,
love, fertility and prosperity.)
Scaenae frons
It was the back wall of the theatre located behind the stage.
Usually, it was two or three
storeys high and also
functioned as scenery.
Stage
Gate
This was a door in the middle of the stage used by actors.
Information
Commissioned by: Pompey
Built: 61–55 BC
Location: Rome
Building material: stone
Capacity: approx. 20,000
Orchestra
In Greek theatres, it was the place reserved for the members of the chorus whereas in ancient Rome, it did not play an important role.
While the auditoria of Greek theatres
were built on hillsides, those of Roman theatres
– so also the auditorium of the Theatre of Pompey –
were built on their own foundations. This was an important step forward, since Roman theatres could also be built on flat ground.
Columns
The decorated portico,
usually made up of Corinthian columns, stood in front of
the scaenae frons but was
also connected to it.
auditorium
entrances and exits
Julius Caesar (100 BC–44 BC)
stage
